is 75 min to groom a dog but it takes 2 hours, you need to charge accordingly. Shes a Groom Team USA Alum, an AKC owner/handler, and a seminar leader at grooming events. Check out how Daysmart Pet Software helps dog grooming vans optimize their schedules and maximize your profit potential. So now I have baskets on the outside that hold my hairspray and conditioning sprays. If youre launching a mobile pet grooming business, Krystal recommends being visible. I was in college by then and had a little money left over from scholarships, and I bought a used van for $6000.

Then I drove my van everywhere I could. Her mom still grooms, and her grandmother was a groomer. In Massachusetts, we get a lot of snow and it freezes. So theres a short time-span for people to see the info they need.. Then I can group 4 week appointments together and 6 week appointments together. When I was a kid, Id sit on a stool and help brush dogs and bathe them. What to Expect When Taking Your Cat to a Cat. A family friend in Boston wanted me to groom his dogs at his house. As mobile groomers, were moving. Id recommend doing a ride-along and experiencing what its like. He said, you could get a dog grooming van, and this could be your business.. Krystals mom still grooms, and shes in the area too, so Krystal sometimes recommends clients to her at Pooch Paws. For me, every dog goes straight into the bath as soon as they come into the van., Krystal says, 25-50% are latchkey clients. On the other hand, I dont have to deal with high heat like in Nevada. Shes a Groom Team USA Alum, an AKC owner/handler, and a seminar leader at grooming events. Plus, because all of our equipment is inside, it can be a little louder in the van since everythings enclosed. One day he suggested I go to other peoples homes for grooming. Having a set routine is essential for mobile groomers. Krystal says she grew up in the business. In a van, were dealing with limited space, and Ive learned the less time I spend looking for equipment, the more money I make. I recommend having graphics on the side of the van. What to Expect When Taking Your Cat to a Cat Groomer, 7 Reasons to Use Cloud Based Applications for Your Pet Business. I drove it to the supermarket, the mall, anywhere people gathered. She found it was an excellent advertisement. As you can see, Krystal is a highly organized and skilled groomer who has made mobile pet grooming work for her. I know how long it takes to groom the dogs. Now she runs her mobile pet grooming business out of a late model, Krystals mom still grooms, and shes in the area too, so Krystal sometimes recommends clients to her at, A Springer Spaniel seminar on show and pet grooming, Shear balance how to hold the shears, different types of blades, all things shear. For example, I keep small shampoo bottles, not gallons because they take up too much room. The size of the bottles matters too. in Rockland, Ma. Salon vs. Its a personalized service that saves the client time, reduces stress for some dogs, and may even be more sought after in the post-COVID time due to less interaction. Theres education on the business side too. You can find her at grooming events. Krystal says, For me, it wasnt that big of a deal to transition to mobile because I already had a base clientele Id built working at my parents grooming shop.. Weather is a big obstacle, and a lot of people dont take that into consideration. One winter it snowed 110 inches, and every Monday was a snow day. Krystal says. 2022 DaySmart Software. More than that, youre eating up more time at appointments.. Start with the same area every time. I dont know how they do it in Nebraska and places like that, but in Massachusetts, if the schools are closed, Im closed. On the other hand, theres an interesting phenomenon that mobile groomers experience. However, as you build up a clientele, you want to keep things more focused and group neighborhoods and appointments together., The timing between grooms is important too. Krystal says, I did buy a UV light to disinfect cash/checks. Krystal Purcell is a 3rd generation dog groomer who runs. I pre-book my appointments six months out. I will be asking clients to pay by CC as much as possible. All about the prep back to basics how to wash and dry a dog. In high school, my school had a work-study program, so Id leave at the 7th period and go work at my parents shop., Her mobile grooming business started due to a clients suggestion. As a dog groomer, if youre thinking about transitioning into a dog grooming van, theres a lot to consider. Ill use a new mask and a new towel for every dog.. Often, leading seminars like: Now that you have some brief insight on going mobile in a dog grooming van. Krystal Purcell is a 3rd generation dog groomer who runs Pooch Paws to Go in Rockland, Ma. I try to keep them on a 4-6 week schedule. Would you consider it? All tools I use will go inside that to be sanitized in between grooms.. Make sure your business name and phone number are easy to read. Krystal says she often talks about the importance of time-saving skills and organization in her seminars. So I took everything with me; dryer, brushes, table. Krystal says, A lot of times people think old dogs are great for mobile, but its actually very physical, and that dog doesnt get a break. At first, I loved having cabinets, but I learned that opening the doors over and over takes up time. Weather can also play a big role in your scheduling as Krystal found out the hard way.

Im not too specific on timing because things happen. In a shop, a dog will have downtime in between if they need it. I also have a dehumidifier that runs in the summer because humidity will cause corrosion and rust.. Even 10 miles away. It works out well because I know I can then spend more time talking with an older (senior) client who doesnt have a lot of company, and I dont have to worry about running behind on my next appointment. Hi! All rights reserved. I also dont take one-off clients or snowbirds anymore because theyre not the ones who pay my bills.. She ended up going from a five day a week schedule to 4 days a week to create a buffer day. Additional functionality for growing pet businesses, 1 June 2020 Now she runs her mobile pet grooming business out of a late model Wag N Tail van and serves an area between Boston and Cape Cod, Massachusetts. When Krystal brings a dog into her van, it goes straight into the bath, followed by the haircut and blowdry. Thats why I aim for 4-6 week grooms. Plus, dogs are routine-based. Written by Jen Phillips. Interested in learning more, then check out a free 14 day trial and see how easy it is to get rolling! She also recommends pre-booking. I keep a rigid schedule, so theres not much leeway for rescheduling. This focuses on the pros and cons of each and how each is geared towards different people. I did have all my windows tinted which helps keep the temperature regulated.

They think that we can just groom their dog right now and people will stop you in parking lots. Krystal says staying organized has a significant impact on your profitability. I also bought a UV tool cleaner. I dont go out if the snow is over 2 inches. Along with an organized schedule, Krystal is also organized in her placement of items in the dog grooming van and how she handles the dogs. An 8-week client will take you at least 1.5 x longer, and sometimes people dont want to pay the difference., By pre-booking, its easier to keep a tight schedule. Hopefully, these protocols will be enough to keep everyone safe.

Because before, I sometimes had to search all over the house for the dog., She says post COVID shell have additional protocol. All my clippers and shears are within hands reach., Krystals organization extends to how she handles the dogs too. In the beginning, you have such a narrow clientele; youll go anywhere. The general public seems to think mobile dog grooming is on-demand like pizza. Ill be texting clients when I arrive and if theyre home to bring the dog to the door. That was in 2012. Now, I have 110 regular clients.

I recommend all groomers keep to a routine. Mobile with her mom. Id never suggest someone come from somewhere like California and jump right into mobile grooming in a cold area. I try not to let clients dictate my schedule. She also installed an air sanitizer filtration system in her van last October. If your avg. Could we please enable some services and cookies to improve your experience and our website? Since groomers are already used to maintaining high sanitary protocol due to parvo and canine influenza, the post COVID requirements will, hopefully, not be too difficult to implement. From client scheduling to organizing your products. The dog doesnt get a break and can get overstimulated. Its ok. You dont have to do every dog.. 60-75 minutes is typical, but some take 90 minutes to 2 hours. But post-COVID, I dont know if well be allowed to be in peoples houses. It builds muscle memory. Im going to suggest people leave the dog near the door in a kennel or a room in close proximity. So theres some education that has to happen.. Mobile dog grooming vans are convenient for their clientele. I restock weekly and make sure my shampoos are full., Her van has cabinets but found they werent as useful as she first thought. He didnt want to drive an hour to come to us. Once the seed was planted, Krystal looked around for vans and was able to buy a used one for $6000. When I do seminars, I recommend groomers do latchkey. So I give a range, Ill arrive between 9-11. It was a lot of work. From coordinating your grooms to handling drop off and pickups, a dog grooming van has a lot of differences from a physical salon.